Abstract: A motorized decoy provides lifelike feeding motion by rotating or pivoting a decoy head in and out of water. The motor releasably couples to the decoy head such that the decoy head is rotated in the rearward direction when the motor is coupled to the decoy head and in the forward direction when the motor is decoupled. The motor decouples from the head when encountering a decoupling force above a preset threshold. The decoy body can bob in, and changes its orientation relative to, the water as the decoy head pivots. The decoy head can also pause under the surface of the water before rising up from the water.

Abstract: The system, apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the cultivation of shellfish in subtidal environments. A key aspect of the invention is the use of specially configured baskets, into which the shellfish to be grown is seeded. In particular, the baskets are configured with a support bracket through which a cable passes. The mounting of the support bracket permits the rotation of the basket and allows a shellfish cultivator to replicate the growing conditions of intertidal ecosystems despite the invention being used in a subtidal environment.

Abstract: A toy for pets includes a supporting frame, an annular frame, and a running ball. The rods extending respectively from the two opposite ends of the central axis of the running ball are inserted respectively into a pair of opposite holes in the inner periphery of the annular frame to pivotally connect the running ball to the annular frame. The rods extending inward from the two lateral sides of the supporting frame are inserted respectively into a pair of opposite holes in the outer periphery of the annular frame to pivotally connect the annular frame to the supporting frame, wherein the two pairs of holes are angularly offset from each other. A pet running in the running ball can generate a driving force that changes the direction of the running ball and of the annular frame and thereby changes the running direction of the pet itself.

Abstract: A flexible trellis net can be used for growing plants in a grow tent having a series of tent poles. The flexible trellis net includes a trellis that has a mesh lower netting, joined to the series of tent poles, and further has lower netting latitudinal ropes knotted to lower netting longitudinal ropes creating a mesh lower netting plurality of rectangles that are configured for supporting and training the plants within the grow tent. A mesh upper netting is joined to the series of tent poles, and further has upper netting latitudinal ropes knotted to upper netting longitudinal ropes creating a mesh upper netting plurality of rectangles that are configured for supporting fruiting plants and flowers within the grow tent.

Abstract: A controlled agricultural environment includes a vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area and a fluid-cooled LED-based lighting system including multiple fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixtures disposed in the vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area. The environment also includes a hydronics system having a coolant circuit fluidically coupled to the fluid-cooled LED-based lighting system and multiple secondary heating loops to separately heat each level of the vertically-stacked multiple-level growing area. Each lighting fixture comprises a frame having one or more channels, one or more LED modules thermally coupled to the frame, control circuitry coupled to the frame and electrically coupled to the LED module(s) to receive AC power and to supply regulated electrical power to the LED module(s), and one or more pipes thermally coupled to the channel(s) and fluidically coupled to the coolant circuit to carry a fluid coolant that extracts heat generated by the LED module(s).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically preparing seeds with an additive to be deployed together with the seeds, wherein the seeds are opened and a predefined amount of additive is introduced into the seeds through the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for retaining irrigation line configuration relative to an array of plant containers. A plurality of irrigation line clips are configured to releasably lock to the plant containers. The plant containers are each provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the irrigation line clips, the apertures being arranged in different locations along rims of the plant containers. The clips can be provided with a semi-ring component for use in quick attachment to an irrigation line.

Abstract: An assembly for easily filling an elevated wildlife feeder. The filler assembly has a hopper and a blower connected to a junction, the hopper, blower, and junction being supported by a base. The junction connects to a fixed feed pipe. A translating feed pipe connects to and slides along the fixed feed pipe. An air diffuser connects to the translating feed pipe, the diffuser being positioned above the feeder. The translating feed pipe is supported by a folding telescoping leg and by a hook that hooks upon the feeder. The feeder has a lifting rotating lid assembly. The lid assembly is useful upon feeders of various sizes. The lid is supported by a framework and is secured by a chain and hooked spring. Alternatively to the base, the filler assembly may be supported by a framework rotatably mounted to a trailer. The filler assembly rotates on the trailer.

Abstract: A treat dispensing apparatus (toy) for dispensing treats and/or food to a pet. The toy may include for example at least four main tubes extending outward in different directions, each in a straight linear fashion from a central location. The toy may also include one or more exit hole(s) for allowing treat(s) to exit out of the toy via the exit hole(s). In addition, the tubes may be hollow to allow for treats to move back and forth inside the toy until treats are able to exit out when the toy is being thrown, bounced, etc.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter is provided. The shelter has a concave top panel with front, back, and side walls. A concave bottom panel is has front, back and side walls. At least three of the bottom panel side walls have an inner stepped flanged portion. The flanged portions are positioned in a vertical stepped relationship with respect to each one of the other one of the flanged portions. Trapezoidal front, back, and side wall panels have top edges and bottom edges. The bottom edges are longer than the top edges.

Abstract: The disclosed device includes a water storage container, an evaporation cover, a funnel, an indicator rod and a float. The water storage container has an evaporation cover. The evaporation cover is a gas permeable structure. A funnel is connected to the evaporation cover and an indication is provided in the leakage tube of the funnel. A rod. A float is connected to the lower end of the indicator rod and the float drives the indicator rod to indicate the water level in the water storage container. The method is as follows: the water storage container and the evaporation cover are buried in the soil of the plant root, and the water is filled into the water storage container through the funnel. The water in the water container naturally evaporates into the soil through the evaporation hood, which maintains the water in the soil to maintain the survival of the plant.

Abstract: A seedling growing system includes: a cargo transport container provided with heat insulating treatment; a movement robot for moving on a path in the cargo transport container; seedling growing tray racks including a multi-shelf germination rack for holding, until germination, a seedling growing tray on which seeds are sown, a multi-shelf seedling growing rack for holding a seedling growing tray on which seedlings have germinated, and a multi-shelf shipment rack for holding a seedling growing tray for shipping grown seedlings; and an arm or table provided to the movement robot and capable of transferring each seedling growing tray between the movement robot and each of the multi-shelf germination rack, multi-shelf seedling growing rack, and the multi-shelf shipment rack.

Abstract: A plant transportation apparatus enables the shipment of multiple plants such as flowers in a single container. The plants are held in place by a cap. It is contemplated that the apparatus could move small or large quantities of plants.

Abstract: The invention is a single piece molded toy that is shaped like an animal wherein the center of the toy is in the shape of and accordion and a squeaker in the head portion makes sound when the toy is squeezed, and as the toy returns to its original state a grunter located in the rear of the toy makes a grunting sound similar to that of a pig.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to improve energy efficiency, recycle waste heat, and support the operation of environmental sensors in a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a lighting fixture frame mechanically supports and houses respective components of the lighting fixture and includes a light spine to mechanically couple the lighting fixture to a support structure. One or more coolant pipes formed from copper and coupled to the lighting fixture frame conduct a fluid coolant through the lighting fixture to remove heat. The lighting fixture comprises one or more LED modules to emit light, and a multiple electrical power and communication ports to facilitate interconnection of the lighting fixture in a variety of controlled agricultural environments.

Abstract: A pet grooming tool includes a handle, a comb member, a push button, a gear rack, and a removal assembly. The removal assembly is rotatably connected to the handle and is movable between an original position and a removal position. The comb member has multiple claws, each has a distal end. A first slit is defined between every two adjacent claws. The removal assembly has a pinion section and multiple removing sections. The pinion section engages with the gear rack. The removing sections are corresponding to the first slits, respectively. when the removal assembly revolves from the original position to the removal position, the multiple removing sections pass through the first slits towards the distal ends of the multiple claws, so as to remove any hair from the claws.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled LED-based lighting fixture for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to improve energy efficiency, recycle waste heat, and support the operation of environmental sensors in a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a lighting fixture frame mechanically supports and houses respective components of the lighting fixture and includes a light spine to mechanically couple the lighting fixture to a support structure. One or more coolant pipes formed from copper and coupled to the lighting fixture frame conduct a fluid coolant through the lighting fixture to remove heat. The lighting fixture comprises one or more LED modules to emit light, and a multiple electrical power and communication ports to facilitate interconnection of the lighting fixture in a variety of controlled agricultural environments.

Abstract: A net cup holder for use with a hydroponic vertical tower system, the net cup holder including a support portion, wherein the support portion is sized and configured to angularly retain a net cup therein, and a mounting flange at least partially surrounding the support portion, wherein the mounting flange is configured to provide one or more mounting points for the net cup holder to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vertical tower. The net cup holder further comprises a hole interface portion, wherein the hole interface portion is sized and configured to be inset within a hole formed within the vertical tower such that an interior face of the hole interface portion is flush with an interior surface of the vertical tower.

Abstract: A planter wherein a water tray is positioned in the bottom of a front compartment of a housing and has a bottom surface angled downwardly to the horizontal. A water generating unit comprising a Peltier device is also mounted in the front compartment and draws air through a plurality of vertically disposed cold sink fins such that moisture in the air condenses on the fins, flows downwardly by gravity into the water tray, and then by gravity through the water tray and into the bottom of a plant container portion of the housing.